By Ann Lewis, Senior Analyst
In April, U.S. ethanol exports exceeded the 200-million-gallon (mg) mark for only the second time in history, driven by robust demand from major markets and several record highs. Exports rallied by 34% to 214.2 mg, the highest volume since the record set in March 2018. Canada continued to be the largest importer for the 37th consecutive month, taking in 62.3 mg, a 31% increase and six-month high. The United Kingdom saw an 80% surge to a record 34.2 mg. Conversely, exports to India and the European Union decreased to 18.3 mg (-15%) and 13.9 mg (-31%), respectively. Several other larger markets reached multiyear highs, including Oman (12.4 mg), Brazil (11.9 mg), Nigeria (10.1 mg), Mexico (9.8 mg), and the Philippines (8.8 mg). Notably, April was the first time since May 2022 that significant volumes landed in Brazil. Year-to-date U.S. ethanol exports totaled 662.5 mg, up 38% from the same period last year and marking the highest volume in six years.
The U.S. did not log any meaningful imports of foreign ethanol in April (Brazil shipped 70,204 gallons of undenatured fuel ethanol). Year-to-date imports stand at 1.1 mg.
U.S. exports of dried distillers grains (DDGS), the animal feed co-product generated by dry-mill ethanol plants, decreased 8% to 970,164 metric tons (mt) despite growth across most larger markets. Shipments to Mexico rebounded by 36% to 233,715 mt, maintaining its position as our top DDGS customer for the fourth straight month. Indonesia set a record with a 14% increase to 126,042 mt, surpassing South Korea, which saw imports fall by 14% to a five-month low of 123,357 mt. Other larger markets showed growth, including Vietnam (99,862 mt, +10%), Canada (60,801 mt, +9%), the European Union (47,541 mt, +69%), Ireland (47,343 mt, +122%), and Morocco (40,597 mt, 150%). The remaining 20% of U.S. DDGS exports were spread across 29 countries. Year-to-date DDGS exports reached 3.91 million mt, up 22% compared to the previous year.
